Information Technology

Information Technology (IT) is the "practitioner focused" discipline within the field of computing. The BSIT degree program, the applied computing degree at NJIT, provides a balanced approach to software and hardware applications and their conceptual underpinnings. Moreover, the program offers an array of specializations that prepare students to enter various areas of the information economy. IT courses are taught by faculty and industry professionals having years of IT experience. Students benefit from a hands-on approach that provides them with a real grasp of the actual technology, development tools, and paradigms in demand in the IT industry.

The four years of the program have been carefully structured to meet the following goals:

Course List

Code

Title

Credits

Year 1

Breadth and depth of information technology

Year 2

Tools and applications of information technology

Year 3

Software and hardware infrastructure of information technology

Year 4

Management and synthesis of information technology

All Information Technology majors are required to prepare a Program of Study Form, an approved copy of which must be on file with the Academic Advisor. The form should be prepared as early as possible in the student's career, and changes can be made in consultation with the advisor.

The curriculum is for freshmen entering NJIT in fall 2009. Students entering before that date may have a different program and should consult their Academic Advisor to learn which curriculum applies.

Information Technology Specializations

Students can choose from a partial or full array of specializations, each consisting of 9 courses. The specialization provides coherent set of courses, focusing on an application area of Information Technology relevant to the student's interest.

Criminal Justice and Law Specialization

The IT specialization in Criminal Justice and Law offers students the opportunity to study different aspects of criminal justice. Students take core courses in conjunction with Rutgers-Newark School of Criminal Justice and study the origins of both digital and traditional crime. Students will learn how new technologies can be implemented to investigate and prevent crimes. Skills learned in this specialization can lead to careers in law enforcement, forensics, or future study in law school.

Management Information Systems Specialization

Choose 9 (27 credits) from the following:The IT specialization in Management focuses on the design of information systems that improve business effectiveness. Students will be exposed to current technologies and their impact on organizations, and examine issues that will need to be addressed in the current and future technologically-oriented economy, both nationally and internationally.

Game Development Specialization

The Game Development specialization is designed to give students a command of programming in C and C++ as well as other scripting languages (such as Unreal Script, XML, Lua and Python are commonly used in game development) associated with game development. The students will learn how the system architecture for games is designed with various considerations in mind such as the target platform and 2D or 3D graphics. Students will learn how to design and create their own game engines as well as how to program the game logic that uses those engines. Upon graduation, a student from the Game Development specialization will have completed both game modification projects and a number of games they have programmed from scratch and implemented on multiple platforms.

Multimedia Specialization

The IT specialization in Multimedia offers students significant opportunities to build on fundamental principles of computer-aided graphic design, audio and video production as they are used in streaming media, web-based commerce, entertainment, education and public information services.

Network and Information Security Specialization

Network Security is a high priority for computing professionals in business organizations, government agencies, the military, and any proprietary setting. Students choosing this specialization will come to understand the evolution of computer security; applied computer operations and security protocols; data transmission and storage protection methods via cryptography; ways of identifying, understanding and recovering from attacks against computer systems; methods of security breach prevention; network systems availability; applications security, recovery and business continuation procedures; and counter systems penetrations techniques.

Web Applications Specialization

The IT specialization in Web Applications focuses on different aspects of the Information Systems lifecycle. Students will take courses in different areas of web and information systems including web design techniques and web application development. Students will learn how these technologies can be best utilized within organizations.

Information Technology Courses

The foundations of information technology (IT), including basic computer architecture, various kinds of computer hardware, and networking technology, are introduced. Various data representation schemes, such as the binary number systems, are covered. Different levels of software are examined, including aspects of the operating systems from the perspective of the IT professional. The software development process is discussed. Database management software and SQL are dealt with, as are applications and languages developed around the internet and Web infrastructure. Overall, fundamental knowledge required of today's IT professional is obtained along with an appreciation of IT's impact on business and society. Hands-on experience with some important elements of the IT field is gained through various laboratory assignments.

Prerequisites CS 113 or CS 115. Problem solving techniques and program design knowledge are expanded with an eye toward IT-related applications. Various kinds of data structures are introduced, including classic containers such as lists, stacks, queues, and trees. Sorting and searching techniques are examined. The fundamentals of client/server programming and the use of sockets are covered. Recursion and its various applications are studied. The built-in class library features of an object-oriented programming language are exploited throughout.

An introduction to the basics of networking in a modern operating system environment. Emphasis is placed on the application and management of networking technology. Topics to be covered include: the OSI model, network hardware and technologies, network protocols, wired and wireless networks, TCP/IP. Whenever possible, concepts will be explained through the use of hands-on exercises that reinforce the lecture material.

Prerequisites: CS 100 or CS 113 or CS 115 or a course in a high-level programming language as approved by department. This course presents the concepts and software technologies that underline web-oriented, three-tier software architectures and applications. The enabling software mechanism include the markup languages (HTML5 and CSS3) used by browsers, client-side scripting languages and libraries (Javascript and AJAX), web servers and server-side-scripting languages (Apache, PHP, HTTP protocol), and background databases (SQL, MySQL). The course uses a hands-on, guided development approach with substantial assignments to illustrate the fundamental computing concepts systems, and technologies considered and to provide direct experience in their use.

IT 220. Wireless Networks. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (3;0;0).

Prerequisite: IT 120. This course introduces the students to the applied topic of Wireless Networks, focusing on applied methods, tools and technologies, as well as practical experience in designing & implementing wireless networks. Topics include hardware, software, data, applications, communication, design & installation of wireless networks, together with the implementation, performance, security and limitations of such systems.

Prerequisites: CS 113 or CS 111 or CS 115. This course will introduce task automation using shell scripting in a multi-OS environment using the Shell and the Perl programming languages. Topics covered will include scripting commands, control structures, functions, scalar data and lists, regular expressions, hashing, automating administration functions and debugging. Lessons will be enhanced through the use of hands-on exercises to strengthen comprehension.

Prerequisites: IT 102 or IT 114 or CS 116 or CS 114. This course introduces students to the basic concepts of game programming and development. Students will learn how to reprogram a professional game engine, or Modification (Mod) development as it is referred to in the industry. Students will work with C intensively. Students will work on their own game projects utilizing the professional game engine.

IT 276. Game Development. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (3;0;0).

Prerequisites: IT 265 and IT 266, or, CS 265 and CS 266. This course introduces students to the core concepts and skills necessary for the development of games utilizing 2D graphics. Students will learn how to set up and program their own 2D graphics based game engine. The engine will integrate 2D graphics, audio, input handling and network socket programming. Students will learn how to utilize their own custom 2D graphics and sounds into their projects. Once complete, students will have created two fully functional games.

Prerequisites: IT 202 and IT 265. This class introduces students to many of the tools and design methodologies needed for electronic game production. This class will focus heavily on scripting, level design and content control as applied to game development. Students will learn a few scripting languages that are used in the games industry such as Unreal Script and Python. Students will work on projects to develop the levels, controls and scripts in order to create a new game experience with a professional game.

IT 287. Advanced Game Production. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (3;0;0).

Prerequisite: IT 286 or COM 266. This course will build on tools and techniques presented in Foundations of Game Production and guide students through the development cycle of game levels. This will be a hands-on class that will teach students the development styles and revision techniques used in the professional game industry. Upon completion of the course, students will have first hand experience producing professional quality content for electronic games and a portfolio of work.

Prerequisite: IT 202 or instructor approval. The Model View Controller(MVC) software architecture or pattern separates the concerns of application or domain logic, interface design, and the view of the system presented to the user, with the objective of more effective design, development and testing. This course covers environments and frameworks for modeling, developing and programming Internet Applications with emphasis on the Model View Controller paradigm. Design and development, applicability of principles, integrated test-driven development applicability of major external libraries like JQuery and Prototype, deployment, scaling and security issues will be examined. Case studies will be used to illustrate the concepts and frameworks considered. A substantial development project will be required.

Prerequisite: Completion of the sophomore year, approval of the program coordinator, and permission of the Office of Cooperative Education and Internship. Students gain major-related work experience and reinforcement of their academic program. Work assignments facilitated and approved by the Co-op office. Mandatory participation in seminars and completion of a report. Note: Normal grading applies to this COOP Experience.

IT 320. Virtual Instrumentation. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (3;0;0).

Cross-listed with OPSE 310. Prerequisite: CS 113 or CS 115. Covers the basics of virtual instrumentation including use of IEEE GPIB, RS232 interfaces, and data acquisition boards. Interface a computer to various instruments for data acquisition and instrument control using a state-of-the-art software platform such as National Instrument's LABVIEW. Emphasis is on the practical aspects of interfacing a computer to various instruments including timing issues, real-time data acquisition and instrument control, instrument status, and acquisition speed.

IT 330. Computer Forensic. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (3;0;0).

Prerequisites: IT 230. This course introduces students to the applied topic of Computer Forensic, the study of obtaining and analyzing digital information from computers that have been used to commit illegal actions (computer crime), for use as evidence in civil, criminal, or administrative cases.

Prerequisite: Computing GUR. This course will introduce the legal, social and technical issues involving information privacy. Topics covered will include the historical development of information privacy law; law enforcement, technology and surveillance; government databases and records; privacy and business records and financial information; privacy and the media; health and genetic privacy and international privacy law.

IT 332. Digital Crime. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (3;0;0).

Prerequisite: Computing GUR. Comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of the methods and means by which technology is used by the criminal in today's society. An examination of the historical, legal, technological and sociological aspects of cybercrime. The course covers the challenges of a new era of technology has brought to combating crime of all types, including terrorism. Topics covered will include: the sociology of the white collar criminal, the criminal justice system and law enforcement, computer security and deterrence/prevention.

Prerequisite: IT 202 or equivalent. This course introduces students to .NET Framework, a new computational environment that supports more than 25 programming languages and is platform and device independent. Problem solving and system development topics are integrated into the course by using C# languages as a vehicle to illustrate the concepts.

Introduction to programming graphics and animation through the use of an appropriate application interface such as openGL. Topics include 2D and 3D graphics with mappings from the real world coordinates to graphics display. Perspective display will be provided by an interface. Basic vector and matrix operations which underlie the concepts of perspective will be covered.

Prerequisite: IT 201. Educational Media Design employs the instructional principles of constructivist pedagogy as the process used to develop a solution to develope courseware for K-12 audience. The course builds on the participatory design model of software engineering in order to develop integrated learning environments that support visual and verbal literacy; enables student to be able to plan, organize, and systematically develop instructional materials. This course implements instructional design theory and pedagogy in order to create an actual application for a computer-based environment. Same as STS 318.

Prerequisite: IT 201. This class introduces students to the concepts of 3D modeling and animation, and putting those concepts into action by working with software. This class will be a hands-on, project focused course, using 3D modeling packages, taking students from design to final render.

This course will provide an introduction to legal concepts, principles and terminology as applied to modern information technology. The historical background and foundations of the various principles of U.S. Statutory and Common Law will be considered and will be used to explore how such principles may be applied to encompass and govern modern legal interactions in the U.S. and internationally. Through assignments and class discussion, which will often involve the Socratic Method, students will be expected to spot potential legal issues and make logical arguments for and against various legal propositions.

IT 411. Co-op Work Experience. 3 credits, 3 contact hours (0;0;3).

Prerequisite: Completion of the sophomore year, approval of the program coordinator, and permission of the Office of Cooperative Education and Internship. Students gain major-related work experience and reinforcement of their academic program. Work assignments facilitated and approved by the Co-op office. Mandatory participation in seminars and completion of a report. Note: Normal grading applies to this COOP Experience.

Prerequisites: IT 120 and either CS 113 or CS 115. This course provides students with an understanding of methods, tools and technologies required to work with computer systems and networks. It includes a detailed discussion of Internet/intranet issues, including standards, connectivity, performance, protocols, network configurations, network design, wireless technology, management and simulation through practical cases, covering both hardware and software systems.

Prerequisite: IT 340 or equivalent. This course will explore the various means that an intruder has available to gain access to computer resources. Traditional security analysis often falls short due to the rapidly evolving threats that exist. The course was developed to teach how system and network vulnerabilities are found and exploited and what steps can be taken to mitigate the risk.

Prerequisites: junior standing and/or advisor approval. The study of new and/or advanced topics in an area of information technology and its application not regularly covered in any other IT course. The precise topics to be covered, along with prerequisites, are announced in the semester prior to the offering of the course. A student may register for no more than two semesters of special topics courses.

Prerequisites: open only to Information Technology majors who have the prior approval of the program director and the IT faculty who will guide the independent study taking the form of investigations, research, and reports on advanced topics in information technology. Students must prepare, in collaboration with their faculty mentor and in the semester prior to enrolling in this course, a detailed plan of topics and expected accomplishments for their independent study. This must have the approval of both the program director and the faculty mentor. A student may register for no more than one semester of independent study.

Prerequisites: senior standing. An opportunity for students to integrate the knowledge and skills gained in previous information technology work into a team research project. The project involves investigation of current literature as well as implementation of either a part of a large application or the whole of a small system.